Borfajta

Borfajta is the Hungarian term for a grape or wine variety. The word is formed from bor, meaning wine, and fajta, meaning variety. It refers to the cultivated grape varieties used in winemaking and is used to describe the genetic traits, color, flavor potential, and agronomic properties of these grapes.

Grape varieties are commonly organized by color into white and red categories. In Hungary and other wine regions, borfajta encompasses a range of native varieties such as Kadarka, Furmint, Hárslevelű, Juhfark, and Kéknyelű, as well as international varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, depending on the vineyard and winemaking tradition. The term is used in both horticultural discussions and wine labeling to distinguish different grapes that contribute distinct characteristics to wine.

The choice of borfajta influences many attributes of the finished wine, including aroma profile, acidity, sugar level, tannin, and aging potential. It also shapes viticultural practices, such as canopy management and harvest timing, and interacts with terroir to produce regional styles and expressions of wine.

In commercial and regulatory contexts, the borfajta is a key descriptor that can appear on labels where permitted, helping consumers form expectations about flavor and quality. The concept reflects both cultural heritage and contemporary grape science, aiding vineyard planning and winemaking decisions across regions that cultivate wine grapes.